Pet Transport from Costa Rica to Mauritius

Moving a pet from Costa Rica to Mauritius involves more paperwork than most owners expect. This route is one of the most demanding international pet transport routes. Start …

26-32 wks

Preparation needed

None

Quarantine on arrival

Very High

Route complexity

Managed

Full door to door

Get my free quote

Step by step

The import process, in full

First step - must be done before any vaccinations.

Microchip your pet (ISO 11784/11785 standard)

Responsible: Your veterinarian

After microchip. 21-day wait before next steps.

Rabies vaccination

Responsible: Your veterinarian

Blood drawn at least 30 days after vaccination. 90-day wait after successful result.

Rabies titre test (blood test at accredited laboratory)

Responsible: Your veterinarian + approved laboratory

Apply early: allow 4-6 weeks

Apply for import permit from Mauritius

Responsible: You (or your pet transport agent)

2-4 weeks before travel. Confirm pet space with airline directly.

Book IATA-compliant flight and cargo/cabin space

Responsible: You (or your pet transport agent)

Within 10 days of travel (check destination-specific requirement)

Obtain official veterinary health certificate

Responsible: Official veterinarian

3-4 hours before departure for cargo pets; 2 hours for cabin

Travel day: arrive early, present all documentation at cargo desk

Responsible: You + airline check-in/cargo desk

Immediately on arrival (mandatory)

Quarantine on arrival (30 days minimum days)

Responsible: Mauritius quarantine authority

Checklist

What your pet needs

Every item below must be completed and verified before your pet can travel. Expand each category for the detail.

Microchip

Required (ISO 11784/11785)

Rabies vaccination

Required. Minimum age: 12 weeks. 21-day wait after vaccination before travel

Rabies titre test

Required for: All pets from most countries. Minimum: 0.5 IU/ml. 180-day wait from test date before entry

Quarantine

Mandatory quarantine. 30 days minimum days. Facility: Government quarantine station, Mauritius. Mandatory 30-day quarantine for all arriving pets. One of the longest quarantine periods globally.

Import permit

Required. Issued by: Veterinary Services Division, Ministry of Agro-Industry. Extremely limited import permits issued. Apply well in advance.

Health certificate

Required. Issued by: Official government veterinarian in approved country. Valid for 10 days from issue

Export permit

{'required': True, 'issued_by': 'SENASA Costa Rica'}

Health certificate

{'required': True}

We handle the regulations for every animal, every country, every airline, so nothing on your Costa Rica to Mauritius move gets missed.

Pet Transport Global

Airlines

Carriers on this route

Not all airlines accept live animals on this route. We know every carrier policy for this corridor.

Emirates

Cargo: Emirates SkyCargo handles all pet transport as manifested cargo. Brachycephalic breeds accepted with additional requirements and seasonal restrictions. Temperature embargoes during extreme heat (summer months in Gulf region)

Cargo Only

Lufthansa

Small pets (up to 8kg with carrier) allowed in cabin. Cargo: larger pets via Lufthansa Cargo in pressurised, temperature-controlled hold. Brachycephalic breeds restricted from cargo year-round

Cabin and Cargo

British Airways

Cargo: Pets transported via British Airways World Cargo in temperature-controlled hold. Book through approved cargo agent. No cabin pets on any route.

Cargo Only

Singapore Airlines

Cargo: Pets travel in temperature-controlled hold. Brachycephalic breeds subject to restrictions. Temperature embargoes apply on certain routes/seasons

Cargo Only

Cathay Pacific

Cargo: Pets travel as manifested cargo in temperature-controlled hold. Brachycephalic breeds restricted during summer months. Hong Kong AFCD import regulations must be met

Cargo Only

Air France

Small pets allowed in cabin (up to 8kg including carrier). Cargo transport available for larger pets. Brachycephalic breeds subject to restrictions/seasonal embargoes

Cabin and Cargo

KLM

Small pets allowed in cabin (up to 8kg including carrier). Cargo: pets transported via KLM Cargo. Temperature restrictions apply. Brachycephalic breeds restricted from cargo

Cabin and Cargo

Costs

What this route typically costs

Airline cargo or cabin fees (varies by carrier, route, pet weight, and crate size)

IATA-compliant travel crate (purchase or hire)

Veterinary fees: vaccinations, microchipping, health certificate

Rabies titre test laboratory fee

Import permit application fee (Mauritius)

Quarantine facility fees (owner-paid at destination)

Pet transport agent fee (recommended for complex routes)

Critical points

Mandatory quarantine required on arrival. Plan for separation from your pet.

Import permit must be obtained before travel. Apply well in advance.

Always verify current regulations with the destination country's official veterinary authority before travel.

What to know about the Costa Rica to Mauritius route

This is one of the more demanding international pet transport corridors. Mauritius runs a strict biosecurity programme and there are no shortcuts through it.

All pets must complete quarantine on arrival in Mauritius (at Government quarantine station, Mauritius) for 30 days minimum days. This is non-negotiable and is entirely separate from the pre-travel preparation.

Mauritius is rabies-free and has extremely strict pet import controls similar to Australia. Pets must have lived in an approved rabies-free country for 6 months before import. Mandatory quarantine applies. Authority: Veterinary Services Division, Ministry of Agro-Industry and Food Security.

Step-by-step: what to do first

Microchip first, then vaccinate. The microchip must be implanted before any rabies vaccination for the vaccination to count. It’s the most common and costly mistake people make.

Book the titre test laboratory well in advance. Approved labs have limited appointment slots and the blood sample processing takes time. Don’t leave this to the last few weeks.

Get the health certificate from an official (government-approved) veterinarian, not just your regular vet. Some countries have strict requirements about who can sign the certificate. Check the destination authority’s approved list.

If this is your first international pet move, consider using a registered pet transport agent. They handle the documentation, airline booking, crate sizing, and can troubleshoot issues. IPATA-registered agents are the recognised standard.

FAQ

Common questions

Allow at least 26 weeks from starting preparations to travel day. Some steps involve mandatory waiting periods that cannot be shortened, so starting early is the only way to keep to your schedule.

Yes, quarantine is mandatory in Mauritius. Your pet will stay for 30 days minimum days at Government quarantine station, Mauritius on arrival. This is non-negotiable and the cost is paid by the owner.

Yes, a rabies titre test is required. Blood must be drawn at least 30 days after your pet’s rabies vaccination, and there is a 90-day waiting period after a successful result before your pet can enter Mauritius. Start this process as early as possible.

Yes, an import permit is required from Mauritius’s authority (Veterinary Services Division, Ministry of Agro-Industry). Apply before you book your flight. The permit specifies conditions your pet must meet and must be obtained in advance.

Your pet needs a government-issued veterinary health certificate from an official vet in Costa Rica. The certificate must be issued within 10 days of travel. Present the original (not a copy) at check-in. Check Mauritius’s authority for the exact format required.

Ready when you are

Move your pet

to Mauritius.

Get a free, fully itemised quote for this route. Preparation timeline, full cost breakdown, and breed specific advice. No commitment.

Get my free quote

Airline guides

Breed guides

Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.

Browse all breed guides →

Pet Transport from Costa Rica to Mauritius

The import process, in full

What your pet needs

Carriers on this route

What this route typically costs

Critical points

What to know about the Costa Rica to Mauritius route

Step-by-step: what to do first

Common questions

Move your pet

Airline guides

Breed guides

Get a free pet transport quote